Have you ever felt caught in an inner battle, wanting to do right but finding yourself doing wrong? The Apostle Paul addresses this universal struggle directly in Galatians 5:17.
This single verse, found in his letter on Christian freedom, offers profound insight into the spiritual life. It doesn’t downplay the battle’s severity; rather, it illuminates its nature and offers hope through the Spirit.
This verse is a cornerstone for anyone seeking to live an authentic Christian life with integrity, faithfulness, and conviction.
What Does Galatians 5:17 Really Mean? A Deep Dive
The Verse
NIV: “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
AMP (for nuance): “For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] behave as you want to do [but are often prevented from doing what is right].”
Breaking Down the Greek: Flesh, Spirit, and Conflict
| Key Word/Phrase | Core Meaning | Explanation in Context |
|---|---|---|
| The Flesh (Sarx) | This refers not just to the physical body, but also to the fallen human nature and the self-oriented, rebellious inclination that was passed down from Adam. It represents a person who is not redeemed by God and is therefore capable of sin. | Paul contrasts this not with “spirit” as in human spirit, but with the Holy Spirit. It makes people want things that go against what God wants. |
| Desires (Epithumei) | An intense, driving craving or longing. | This fallen nature craves things that are contrary to God’s will. This is a deep-seated tendency. |
| Contrary to | The opposite of something. | This isn’t just a difference; it’s active opposition. The Flesh’s desires are basically against the Spirit’s guidance. |
| The Spirit (Pneuma) | The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, and is given to believers. The power of God within them. | It represents God’s presence, power and guidance within the believer, producing godly character and desires (the “fruit” of 5:22-23). |
| Conflict with each other (Antikeitai) | To be set against, to oppose, to wage war against. It’s military language that describes a battle that is still happening. | This language signifies not a minor disagreement, but an irreconcilable, ongoing war. It is a fierce, ongoing struggle between two forces within the believer that cannot be reconciled. |
| So that you are not to do whatever you want | This stops you from doing the things you might want to do. | The strong feelings of conflict stop the believer from always doing what they really want (which, for the redeemed, is the same as the Spirit, but the Flesh is against it). It explains the struggle and failure, not makes excuses for it. |
Historical and Literary Context
Paul wrote Galatians to churches he founded in the Roman province of Galatia. He was strongly against false teachers (“Judaizers”) who said that Gentile converts must follow Jewish law (like circumcision) to be truly saved.
Paul says that being saved is only possible by believing in Jesus. This focus on grace and faith helps us understand how believers live out this new reality.
Chapter 5 is a pivotal section of the letter. First, Paul talks about being free in Christ (5:1). Then, he warns people not to be selfish (5:13) and instead tells believers to help each other with love (5:13-14).
This makes it clear that being led by the Spirit means you are not under the law (Galatians 5:18). This means that the old rules do not apply in the same way.
It explains why walking by the Spirit (5:16) is both necessary and challenging because of this inner conflict. It explains the religious reasons for the moral instructions connected to it.
How This Ancient Battle Plays Out in Your Modern Life
Galatians 5:17 isn’t old; it’s a way to understand what a believer is going through. It is very important:
- It makes the struggle seem normal: Many Christians feel like failures when they have problems with their faith or do something wrong. This verse tells us that even when we struggle, it is a sign that we are alive – the Holy Spirit is present and active, fighting against the power of sin that still exists within us (see Romans 7:14-25 for more on this). We’re not the only ones who are flawed; we’re in a battle that is part of the process of becoming more holy.
- It makes it clear what prompts a desire for something: When we feel angry, or want to gossip, lust, envy or be selfish, we can see this as the “flesh” rising up against the Spirit’s desire for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. (Gal 5:19-23). This helps us not to blame God or our circumstances, but to recognise the negative thoughts that we have.
- It shows that we need the Spirit: The verse explains why trying to do things by force often doesn’t work (“so that you do not do what you want”). We can’t achieve victory by trying harder, but by relying on the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25). It makes us want to pray and rely on God.
- It promotes spiritual vigilance: If you know there is an ongoing conflict, it stops you from becoming complacent. We are called to actively “keep in step with the Spirit”, to crucify our desires and resist them.
Winning the Battle: Scenarios at Work, in Relationships, and with Your Habits
- At Work (Ethical Dilemma): You find a way to cut corners on a project to meet a tight deadline, even if it means lowering the quality or being less honest (Flesh: desire for ease, approval, success). The Spirit encourages honesty and hard work. The conflict is real.
When you apply the verse, you recognise the tug-of-war, you pray for strength, you choose to be honest (to walk by the Spirit), and you trust God with the outcome.
- In Relationships (Conflict): Someone says something that makes you angry. The flesh immediately craves to get even, gossip, or hold a grudge (works of the flesh: hatred, discord, fits of rage). The Spirit encourages forgiveness, patience, kindness and peace. The conflict is intense.
When you apply the verse, you should pause to think about your “fleshly” reaction, ask the Spirit to help you respond with grace, and choose reconciliation over getting even.
- Personal Habits (Temptation): You can use it to start a habit of prayer or to stop an unhealthy one (e.g. spending too much time on your phone, eating junk food). The Flesh wants things straight away, it wants comfort, and it wants to be distracted. The Spirit wants you to be disciplined, to grow spiritually, and to control yourself. The problem is often shown by people putting things off or giving in.
To apply the verse, you must recognise your inner struggles, not be put off by setbacks, call on the Spirit’s strength during times of temptation, and consistently follow the Spirit’s guidance.
Questions for Personal Reflection
- When have you recently experienced the intense conflict described in Galatians 5:17? What specific desires of the “flesh” were going against the prompting of the Spirit in that situation?
- How does seeing this inner conflict as “normal” (but not good) change the way you think about your own problems and mistakes? Does it make you feel bad or make you rely on God’s love and the power of the Holy Spirit?
- What can you do today to more deliberately ‘walk by the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:16) in an area where you often feel this conflict, thereby weakening the flesh’s ability to stop you doing what you truly desire in Christ?
Which of these questions resonates with you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
A Prayer Inspired by Galatians 5:17
Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, my Comforter, Guide, and the source of true life within me. Galatians 5:17 shows the fight inside me. It shows the struggle between the old parts of me and the good desires that God has given me.
It’s humbling and sometimes discouraging to see how often my human nature goes against Your perfect will.
Lord, I admit the times I’ve let my own desires take over, choosing to be selfish, angry, or immoral instead of doing what Your Spirit wants me to do. Please forgive me. But I thank You that this verse is not a source of condemnation; it explains the struggle and reminds me that I need Your power.
Right now, I surrender again. I know that I am not strong enough to win this battle. I ask for a new filling of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to recognise the voice of the flesh (my desires) and reject it, moment by moment. Make me strong so that I can choose to obey You and follow Your Spirit.
Help me to overcome my desires and instead focus on the qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When I make mistakes, help me to grow in holiness and guide me back to You. May your Spirit be victorious in me, for your glory. Amen.
Conclusion
Galatians 5:17 provides a crucial key to understanding the Christian experience: life in faith is marked by an internal conflict between our fallen nature (the flesh) and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The verse validates our struggles, reminds us of our dependency, and points us toward reliance on the Spirit, not our own strength.
Therefore, be strong in your faith, believer. This inner battle, while intense, is not hopeless. The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives in you (Romans 8:11). By consciously walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), keeping in step with Him (Galatians 5:25), and sowing to please Him (Galatians 6:8), you will experience His transformative power.
The struggle of verse 17 is the necessary backdrop for the beautiful fruit of verses 22-23. Keep looking to Jesus, keep yielding to the Spirit, and walk confidently in the freedom Christ has won for you.
